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Porsche launch 911 GT3 and Alfa add more value to MiTo
publication date: Apr 29, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
Porsche launch a variant of the celebrated and
successful racing pedigree 911 GT3 RS this July, with more power and greater performance.
Limited to 600 vehicles
worldwide, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 transmits thoroughbred motorsport technology through
to its innermost core.
|  | The flat engine's crankshaft has been lifted unchanged
from the 911 GT3 RSR racing car's six cylinder engine and the forged pistons'
connecting rods are made of titanium.
The flat six 4.0-litre
sports engine, the biggest 911 engine ever, is also the most powerful naturally
aspirated engine with 125 hp/litre. It achieves its maximum power of 500 hp at
8,250 revs per minute and delivers its maximum torque of 460 Nm at 5,750 rpm.
This impressive
performance continues on track, this limited edition model achieves a
Nürburgring-Nordschleife lap time of 7:27 minutes. The 911 GT3 4.0, available
exclusively with a six-speed manual sports transmission, sprints to 62 mph from
a standing start in 3.9 seconds and, with its gearing designed for the racing
circuit, takes it to the 124 mph (200 km/h) mark in under 12 seconds.
Equipped as standard with
light weight components such as bucket seats, bonnet and front wings made of
carbon fibre, plastic rear windows and weight-optimised carpets, the
two-seater's ready-for-road weight is just 1,360 kg, delivering a
power-to-weight ratio of 368 hp/tonne.
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Inside,
the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 features lightweight sports bucket seats in carbon fibre
covered in black leather/red Alcantara with ‘RS 4.0' in red on the headrests.
Carbon fibre door entry guards with ‘RS 4.0' logos are fitted to each sill and
a dashboard trim strip in carbon fibre with a ‘RS 4.0' logo runs across the
inside of the car above the glovebox lid |
The limited edition 911 is
painted Carrara White as standard and emphasises its proximity to motor racing
by its dynamic appearance.
As is
characteristic of the 911 GT3 RS, the Clubsport package - comprising half roll
cage, seat belt harnesses, fire extinguisher, battery cut-off switch - is a
standard feature of the 4.0 model and will go on sale in July from £128,466. | |  | A significantly revised MiTo range will shortly
become available through Alfa Romeo's 52-strong UK dealer network.
The Italian sporting car manufacturer, which is
enjoying a strong and sustained sales surge in 2011, has just released details
of the new range - all of which are designed to make owning an Alfa easier and
more attractive than ever, with lower entry prices combined with higher
standard specifications, and a new congestion-busting sub-100g/km CO2
version. | The MiTo sports compact range has been streamlined
from 17 versions to nine, with both Turismo and Lusso trim levels being
replaced with the Sprint; entry level versions are now known as Progression,
and Distinctive and Quadrifoglio Verde versions replace Veloce and Cloverleaf.
Prices have been reduced across the range, and now
start at £12,250 OTR for the entry level 1.4 8v Progression, rising to £17,955
OTR for the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170bhp Quadrifoglio Verde.
In terms of enhanced specification, Distinctive
(formerly Veloce) and Quadrifoglio Verde (Cloverleaf) are both enriched with
additional equipment, including Cruise Control, Sports pedals and rear parking
sensors.
Three new engines become available: 1.4 8v 78bhp
(available in Progression and Sprint, replacing the 1.4 16v 95bhp unit) for lower
emissions, superior MPG and Start&Stop as standard; 1.4 MultiAir 105bhp
(available with Sprint or Distinctive trims) for superior power, torque and MPG
(compared to the 1.4 16v 95bhp engine); and the new congestion charge/tax
busting 1.3 JTDM-2 (Sprint only, replacing the 1.3 16v 95bhp unit) which
produces a spritely 85bhp and just 95g/km of CO2, which means free
travel in the congestion charge zone, together with free road tax and first
registration fee. Business users can also claim 100 per cent capital allowance
in the first year of ownership.
Finally, the Alfa MiTo will become available in
Metal Bronze, a colour entirely new to the Alfa range, having been previewed at
this year's Geneva Motor Show. On Progression and Sprint versions, it can also
be chosen with new Sprint Bronze upholstery. |
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